Portsmouth have revealed plans for a 36,000-capacity waterfront stadium which chief executive Peter Storrie has described as "perfection".The new ground would see FA Cup winners move from Fratton Park, their home since 1898, to a site at the "gateway" of the Hampshire city.
The creation of a new stadium is deemed essential for the club, which needs a larger capacity than its current 20,200.
The development would also include an indoor exhibition centre/arena with a 10,000 capacity.
The scheme is being designed by Swiss-based architects Herzog & de Meuron, who are responsible for the Beijing National Stadium, the centrepiece of this year's Olympics, and the Allianz Arena stadium in Munich.
The proposals also include a new diving training facility for the Royal Navy and a residential, retail and leisure complex.
Pompey and Sellar Property Group, which is handling the development, also announced proposals for the redevelopment of the 17-acre Fratton Park site for a mix of low-rise residential and retail uses.
Storrie said: "We only have one word to describe this stadium - perfection.
"The club will be playing a big part in the regeneration of the city and our fans will have the very best in terms of facilities and amenities as well as an excellent viewing experience.
"Portsmouth Football Club has moved into a new era with the backing of owner Alexandre Gaydamak and these are very exciting times for the club, both on and off the field.
"The new stadium, along with plans for the club's new training ground at the Alver Valley in Gosport, are proof of where we want Pompey to be, playing at the highest level and in a stadium befitting a top Premier League side."
The new stadium will be on a former landfill site next to the M275 and M27 motorway junction, overlooking Portsmouth Harbour.
The construction is expected to generate several thousand jobs, with hundreds more permanent jobs after it is completed.
Subject to the necessary planning consents, work would get under way next year.
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Comment 1 - 3 of 3
As a huge pompey fan I will be the first to put two fingers up to those visiting fans who sing out abuse about our facilities, bearing in mind 75% of them ended up below us in the prem.Upward and onward Pompey.Cant wait for the season to start. Regards to sir Harry and all those involved in PFC .Dick North (Surrey)
About time! yes, great news, the old Fratton Park was so archaic and in such a lousy position for travelling fans, we look forward to the new season with some optimism, can i suggest a statue be erected outside the new stadium to the great Harry Redknapp, who has taken Portsmouth FC from a mediocre side struggling against relegation to a Premiership outfit respected by the rest of the football world.
Chris Hampson, Heathfield E Sussex.
Absolutely Fabulous Just what Pompey needed. Looking forward with great optimism to the incoming season. Kind Regards to All from Gerry Cupples Belfast Northern Ireland (Big Pompey Fan)
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